Some time ago a group of volunteers from the Goulburn Branch of the Sporting Shooters’ Association of Australia (SSAA) met at the Goulburn Rifle Range to begin the restoration of the 100-year-old machinery, which raises and lowers the target frames. The project became a joint effort between the Goulburn Rifle Club and SSAA Goulburn Branch. Goulburn should be proud of the range’s place in Australian military history. This facility would have been used to train the young men sent off to France and Egypt in 1914 and on to Gallipoli in 1915. The AIF recruits sent to the Middle East and later to New Guinea would also have learned about their .303 Lee-Enfield rifles right here. It is also thought that the massive protective bunker is one of the first examples of large reinforced concrete construction in Australia.
The SSAA Goulburn & District Branch is a relatively new affiliation which was proposed by Roy Smith and was commenced in 1997. Ray Croker provided details of information by the State Office about setting up a Branch. The elected steering committee consisted of Ray Croker (Chairman), Susan Ducksbury (Secretary), David Searl (Treasurer) and 2 Committee Members - Brett Bensley and Brian Jones.
Not having a range of their own constituted a problem, but was resolved through an agreement to hire an existing range and its facilities from the "Goulburn Rifle Range Reserve Trust" (Goulburn Rifle Range Club) for a reasonable fee. In the meantime, Ken Kenchington, a keen supporter for the range and a sporting shooter himself, generously provided occasional organised shoots at his property.
Not having a range of their own constituted a problem, but was resolved through an agreement to hire an existing range and its facilities from the "Goulburn Rifle Range Reserve Trust" (Goulburn Rifle Range Club) for a reasonable fee. In the meantime, Ken Kenchington, a keen supporter for the range and a sporting shooter himself, generously provided occasional organised shoots at his property.
Ron Gimbert, the Public Officer and Armourer, has been frantically negotiating and working for years for the club's own SSAA shooting range. The long awaited licence for it was finally granted and received in early 2001. Now the club had reasons to advance rapidly. Members of the local Department of Police wanted to use the range, which was granted, thus providing much needed revenue for further range improvements like sheds and additional mounds. Requests from Goulburn's Corrective Services were also negotiated, however no agreement was reached regarding fees, so this did not eventuate.
The 2004 AGM produced a few changes . A notable one was that the club now had Doris Hodann, being a professional Bookkeeper, as their new Treasurer. The results were that some new technology was introduced to handle the financial side of the club by adopting the conveniences of MYOB and Netbanking.
The 2004 AGM produced a few changes . A notable one was that the club now had Doris Hodann, being a professional Bookkeeper, as their new Treasurer. The results were that some new technology was introduced to handle the financial side of the club by adopting the conveniences of MYOB and Netbanking.
A setback occurred during 2004-2005 as a result of apparent political play. Amongst safety reasons certain restrictions about caliber, distance and bore sizes were placed on the use of the range, which of course was very disappointing and caused the loss of income from the Corrective Services and Police.
Ray Croker, as first President, retained his office for 7.5 years. His successor was Brian Jones for two years, followed by Ken Kenchington. Other keen and notable members like John Dodds, Neville Francis, Bill Irvine, plus some enthusiastic working bees, greatly contributed to the success and achievements of the Club. Every person involved should be commended on their past efforts and their enthusiasm for contributing in constantly improving this great shooting facility.
At the beginning the Branch consisted of a mere handful of keen members. In a reasonably short time the Branch boosted its membership to 200. At this stage there are several clubs that are making good use of the Range, they are the "Goulburn SSAA Branch", the Goulburn "Rifle Club", the "Pistol Club", the "Shotgun Club" and a few other identities.
Ray Croker, as first President, retained his office for 7.5 years. His successor was Brian Jones for two years, followed by Ken Kenchington. Other keen and notable members like John Dodds, Neville Francis, Bill Irvine, plus some enthusiastic working bees, greatly contributed to the success and achievements of the Club. Every person involved should be commended on their past efforts and their enthusiasm for contributing in constantly improving this great shooting facility.
At the beginning the Branch consisted of a mere handful of keen members. In a reasonably short time the Branch boosted its membership to 200. At this stage there are several clubs that are making good use of the Range, they are the "Goulburn SSAA Branch", the Goulburn "Rifle Club", the "Pistol Club", the "Shotgun Club" and a few other identities.
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